LEXUS LS430 2006 Owners Manual

145
2
When driving
2-5. Driving information
Cargo & luggage
Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) - (T
otal weight of occupants)
■ Steps for determining corr
ect load limit
Locate the statement “The combin ed w
eight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed xxx pounds” on your vehicle’s plac -
ard.
Determine the combined weight of the driv
er and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
xxx pounds or xxx kilograms
The resulting figure equals the available amount of car
go and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “xxx” amount equa ls 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. 1400 - 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.
Take notice of the following information about stowage precautions, cargo
capacity and load.
When stowing cargo and luggage in the vehicle, observe the following precau-
tions:
• Put cargo and luggage in the trunk wh en at all possible. Be sure all
items are secured in place.
• Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the w
eight as far forward
as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
• For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.

146
2-5. Driving information
Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle.
The weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step .
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consu lt this manual to determine ho
w
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. ( P.148 )
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are riding in your
v
ehicle which has a total load capacity of 900 lb. (410 kg), the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be as follows:
900 lb. -366 lb. = 534 lb. (410 kg - 166 kg = 244 kg)
In this condition, if 3 mor
e passengers with the combined weight of 388
lb. (176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced
as follows:
534 lb. -388 lb. = 146 lb. (244 kg - 176 kg = 68 kg)
4
1
2

147
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants increases,
the cargo and luggage load equaling the combined weight of the occu-
pants who got on later, by an amount. In other w
ords, if an increase in the
number of occupants causes an excess of the total load capacity (com -
bined weight of occupants plus car go and luggage load), y
ou must
reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle. ( P.148 )
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
●Do not place anything on the packag e tray behind the rear seatback. 
Such items may be thrown about and possib ly injur
e people in the vehicle during
sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not drive with objects on top of the instrument panel. 
They may interfere with the driver’s field of view or move during sharp accelera -
tion or turning, thus impairing the driver ’
s control of the vehicle. In an accident
they may injure the vehicle occupants.
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and injure some -
one during an accident or sudden braking.
■Weight of the load
●Improper loading may cause deterioratio n of steering or braking control result-
ing in an accident which may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight ra ting or the total vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less than the total
load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly.

148
2-5. Driving information
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These are also described on the tire and loading information label. ( P. 2 8 3 )
CAUTION
■Overload
Do not apply excess load. 
It may cause not only damage to the tires, but also
deterioration of steering ability
and braking ability, resu lting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load ca pacity, seating capacity, towing capac-
ity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 900 lb. (410 kg)
Total load capacity means the comb ined w
eight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: T
otal 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maxi mum number of occupants whose
estimated a
verage weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants ar e within the seating capacity, do not
exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity: 2000 lb. (907 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer
w

eight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Car
go capacity
Cargo capacity ma y incr
ease or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants. ( P.145 )

149
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate for the
prevailing weather and roadway conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids appropriate to the p revailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
●Inspect the level and specific gravity of battery electrolyte.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four sno w tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same si
ze and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■ Befor
e driving the vehicle
Perform the following steps acco r
ding to the driving conditions.
●Do not forcibly try to open a window or move a wiper that has fro-
zen. Pour some warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. 
Wipe away the water immediately to pr
event it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front
of the windshield.
●Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
●Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may
accumulate in the wheel well or brakes.

150
2-5. Driving information
Regulations on the use of snow chains
●Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to location
and type of road. Alwa ys check local regulations before installing
chains.
●Use SAE Class “S” type radial tire chains, with the exception of radial
cable chains or V-bar type chains.
• Install the chains on the rear tires.
• Refer to the explanation that comes with the tir
e chains for installa-
tion instructions.
●Retighten chains after driving 1 /4 - 1 /2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■If the chains are installed
The tire pressure warning system may not operate properly.
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following installation, removal and care precautions.
• Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
• Install tire chains on the rear tires only. Do not install tire chains on front tir
es.
• Install the tire chains on rear tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains af
ter driving 1 /4 - 1 /2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
• Install tire chains following the inst ructions pr
ovided with the chains.
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and driv e at a reduced speed suitable to
road conditions.
■ When parking the v
ehicle
The parking brake may freeze up, prev enting it fr
om being released.,
Place the selector lever in P and park the vehicle without applying the
parking brake.

151
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or serious
injur
y.
• Use tires of the specified size.
• Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
• Do not drive in excess of 72 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tir
es being used.
• Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failing to do so may result in to the vehicle being unable to be driven safely and a
p
ossible accident which may cause death or serious injury.
• Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
• Avoid driving on bumpy road s
urfaces or through potholes.
• Avoid sudden turns and braking, as us e of chains may a
dversely affect vehi-
cle handling.
• Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con -
trol is maintained.

152
2-5. Driving information
Trailer Towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle, thus tow-
ing a trailer will have an adverse effec t on
handling, performance, braking,
durability, and fuel consumption. For yo ur safety and the safety of others, do
not overload the vehicle or trailer.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused b
y towing a
trailer for commercial purposes
■ Weight limits
Confirm the total trailer weight, gross v
ehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
■ Gr
oss vehicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
R
ating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross vehi -
cle weight is the sum weight of th e unloaded v
ehicle, driver, passen-
gers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. Also included is the w
eight
of any special equipment installed on your vehicle.
■ Gr
oss axle weight
The load on either the front or rear axle r
esulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both ax les must not exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification Label.
Certification label

153
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Towing a trailer
Consult your Lexus dealer for further information on additional require -
ments such as a towing kit, etc.
■Trailer tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be dis tributed so that the tongue load is 9
to 11% of the total trailer weight , not exceeding the maximum of 200
lb. (90 kg) (Tongue load / Total trailer weight) x 100 = 9 to 11%) 
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measur
ed with plat-
form scales found at a highw
ay weighing station, building supply com -
pany, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load
1
2

154
2-5. Driving information
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (P.283 )
●Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom -
mendation.
●All trailer lights must work to be legal.
●Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
●Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
p

ower train components (engine, transmissi on, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (see “Owner’s Manual Supplement/ Scheduled Mainte -
nance”)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.